Golden Gun: Speedvagen 650b Rugged Road

Speedvagen had an exciting new model on display in the SRAM Road booth at the Sea Otter Classic over the weekend: a golden gum-walled 650b version of their Rugged Road frame. From the looks of things, it could very well be their most fun bike yet.

The 700c variant of their Rugged Road has been riding around for a few months now, but this 650b release looks very comfortable with itself. The smaller rim diameter certainly adds to the robust stance, but the abundance of gold and gum doesn’t go astray either.

Sacha White and the Speedvagen team are opening the model range to a wider range of riders these days. Cyclocross and road riding is intrinsically tied into the brand’s DNA, but it finally looks like Portland’s dancing unicorn is gazing beyond the race barriers.

The frame is basically the same as the 700c model we previewed a while ago, which means the same hand built quality and superb details which have generated Speedvagen’s popularity: proprietary steel tubing, stainless Berzerker dropouts and custom seat post topper.

However, the 650b Rugged Road is only available as a custom complete. The 700c and this 650b models have had their Honjo fenders upgraded with matching paint, and the tighter arc on the 650b makes for a very cosy fit with the 47mm WTB Byway tyres.

Custom paint is, of course, another custom upgrade, and this example got more than a lion’s share of gold, subtly contrasted by the semi-gloss Industrial grey and HollaText logos — all part of Speedvagen’s 2018 range of colours.

The frame also features their custom chain stays with flat-mount thru axles and room for 160mm rotors front and rear. If your road riding legs need some fun in their lives, a US$1000 deposit gets the conversation started.